Polaris Indy 500 Liquid 1995 Carbs on 2040-parts.com

GM bets on new four-cylinder family in Europe; U.S. plans unclear

General Motors' European subsidiary, Opel, has revealed a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder direct-injection gasoline engine that will be offered from early 2013 across its lineup, starting with the soon-to-be-revealed Astra-based Cascada convertible. The aluminum block unit, the first in a new range of so-called SIDI (spark ignition direct injection) ECOTEC engines, forms the centerpiece of the company's downsizing strategy for displacement. The engine is claimed to have improved torque characteristics and a significant reduction in consumption compared with its predecessor.

Ford EcoSport for Europe heading for Geneva 2013

The Ford EcoSport – a butch little SUV based on the Ford Fiesta – is heading for a European reveal at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show. The new EcoSport arrived in Delhi last year as Ford’s take on the funky little urban warrior market – think Nissan Juke – and it looks a properly purposeful little urban runaround, with its butch stance and statement grill. We thought when the EcoSport launched in India that it seemed more than likely that Ford would start to market the EcoSport in Europe, and last September – at Ford’s ‘Go Further’ event in Amsterdam  Ford confirmed the EcoSport would arrive in the UK and Europe, and now it’s heading for a European debut at next month’s Geneva Motor Show.

The most expensive Ferrari ever sold at auction

A new record price was set at Pebble Beach this weekend when the 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4*S NART Spider pictured here became the most expensive Ferrari ever sold at auction. That isn’t the same as saying it’s the most expensive Ferrari ever, but the NART Spider is an extraordinarily special piece of Prancing Horse history. Join us as we explore what makes this particular car so important, and take a closer look at one of the most valuable cars in the world.